Ultimate Sacd Sound

"I produced the first Ultimate Demonstration Disc in 1995, and it went on to be a huge success. It caught on with audiophiles, especially those who read audiophile magazines like "Stereophile" and "The Absolute Sound," but didn't fully understand the lexicon of sound. Audiophile reviewers use words like "transparent" and "soundstage depth" all the time, but rarely describe exactly what the words mean. With the original and now this new UDD I spell out what to listen for on each tune. And since Chesky recordings are made by and for audiophiles the entire recording chain – the microphones, mic preamps, mixer, and analog-to-digital converter – is custom built to high-end standards.

One of the more satisfying classical/synthesizer debuts, Snowflakes Are Dancing works on its own terms as a piece of music. As well, the album succeeds as an interpretation of several Debussy compositions (including “Clair de Lune” and “Arabesque No. 1″). Debussy’s atmospheric compositions are naturals to receive the Tomita treatment and despite a few moments of interstellar cheesiness worthy of Star Hustler, Tomita’s debut is an intriguing proto-synthesizer-pop record.
The sonics of the SACD are unquestionably outstanding. Well worth re-purchasing these versions.

Roy Orbison‘s The Ultimate Collection, the singer’s first greatest hits compilation to span his hits across multiple records labels as well as his work with the Traveling Wilburys. For the 26-track collection, Roy’s Boys, the company founded by Orbison’s sons Alex, Wesley and Roy Jr., combed through their father’s entire discography, from Orbison’s early recordings for Sun Records and Monument Records through his long tenure at MGM to his time as part of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup.

Axis: Bold As Love on Hybrid SACD from Analogue Productions!
Newly remastered by Bernie Grundman, from the original analog master tapes!
Includes both mono and stereo mixes — Pure DSD sound!
"If you want to truly experience this album, Analogue Productions' new SACD, mastered to DSD by Bernie Grundman and including both the stereo and mono mixes (mono for the first time in the digital domain), is the only way to do it. … Grundman's mastering has less bass than Marino's, as well as somewhat attenuated highs. There's much more air on songs like 'Spanish Castle Magic,' and the soundstage is also extremely wide. … this release is a home run for Analogue Productions.

Volume 4 of our Sigfrid Karg-Elert Edition contains an impressive collection of large-scale secular organ works: Kaleidoscope, Seven Pastels from the Lake Constance, Rondo and Homage to Handel…